Stroke Risk Factors for Women

Stroke affects men and women alike at any age. Although men have more strokes than women, more than 100,000 women under 65 years of age will have a stroke this year, according to the American Stroke Association. Although women share the same risk factors as men, there are additional risk factors in which they should be aware. The following risk factors should be discussed with your doctor.

• Birth Control Pills—Certain medications such as birth control pills can increase the likelihood of a stroke, because they can cause blood clots. If a woman smokes or is older than 35 while taking birth control pills, her chances of having a stroke increase even more.
• Pregnancy—Women have a high risk of stroke both during pregnancy and right after childbirth.
• Blood Clotting Disorders—Previous blood clotting in the legs or more than one miscarriage may increase your chances of having a stroke.
• Hormone Replacement—Hormone replacement therapy may slightly increase your chances of having a stroke.
• Migraines—According to the American Stroke Association, if a woman experiences migraines with visual disturbances along with other risk factors, she can be up to 10 times more likely to have a stroke.
• Cancer Diagnosis

It is important for women of all ages to pay attention to their risk factors. Eliminating just one risk factor can help decrease your chances of having a stroke.

Read more about stroke risk factors, stroke and stroke recovery.